Ski binding having pivotally mounted boot clamping means



Feb. 8, 1966 E. A. MILLER 3,233,911

SKI BINDING HAVING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BOOT CLAMPING MEANS Filed April 4, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E. A. MlLLER Feb. 8, 1966 SKI BINDING HAVING PIVO'I'ALLY MOUNTED BOOT CLAMPING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1965 E. A. MILLER Feb. 8, 1966 SKI BINDING HAVING PIVOTA'LLY MOUNTED BOOTGT-J'ITCLAMPING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 4, 1963 Feb. 8, 1966 E. A. MILLER 3,

SKI BINDING HAVING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BOOT CLAMPING MEANS Filed April 4, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

E. A. MILLER Feb. 8, 1966 SKI BINDING HAVING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BOOT CLAMPING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 4, 1965 United States Patent 3,233,911 7 SKI BINDING HAVING PIVQTALLY MOUNTED BOEBT CLAMPENG MEANS Earl Andrew Miller, Orem, Utah Filed Apr. 4, 1963, Ser. No. 270,642 Claims priority, application Germany, Apr. 9, 1%2, M 41,014; Apr. 19, 1962, M 52,573 Claims. (61280-1135) The invention relates to a ski binding of the type provided with a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to the ski, and with the jaw holder including at least two jaws having a substantially arcuate surface adapted to contact the upper outside edge of the corner portion of the ski boot for pressing the boot against the ski.

An object of the invention relates to a ski binding of the character described in which the jaw holder has at least two jaws mounted adjustably in the heightwise direction.

Another object of the invention relates to a ski binding in which the jaw holder has at least two jaws slidably and fixably mounted in slot-like recesses of the jaw holder.

A further object of the invention relates to a ski binding in which the jaw holder has at least two jaws constructed as rollers and pivotally positioned on axles with such jaws pressing the boot sole against the ski and resting on the upper edge of the sole.

Another object of the invention relates to a ski binding in which the jaw holder has at least two jaws constructed as rollers and pivotally mounted on axles with the jaws pressing the boot sole against the ski, the rollers resting on the upper edge of the sole and the axles each having a transverse bore having an internal thread engaging the complementary external thread of a bolt rotatably positioned in the jaw holder.

A further object or" the invention relates to a ski binding wherein the jaw holder has at least two jaws constructed as rollers and pivotally mounted on axles, the jaws pressing the boot sole against the ski, with the rollers resting on the upper edge of the sole, the axles each having a transverse bore with an internal thread engaging the complementary external thread of a bolt rotatably positioned in the jaw holder, and the rollers each having two diametrically opposed radial openings in the wall thereof through which openings the bolt projects.

Another object of the invention relates to a ski binding wherein the jaw holder has at least two jaws each consisting of two rollers which are rotatably positioned on an axle having a transverse bore with an internal thread engaging the complementary external thread of a bolt rotatably positioned in the jaw holder.

A further object of the invention relates to a ski binding wherein the jaw holder has at least two jaws each consisting of two rollers which are rotatably positioned on an axle fixed in a carrier which is slidably and fixably mounted in a slot provided in the jaw holder.

A further object of the invention relates to a ski binding wherein the jaw holder has at least two jaws for pressing the boot sole against the ski, with each jaw having an arcuate surface resting on the upper edge of the sole, and the jaws being fixed by bolts and pressed against the shoe by means of spring pressure.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, in which drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a top view and an elevational view, respectively, of one form of the invention.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are similar views of another embodiment of the invention shown.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention modified relative to that of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5a is a view of the detail shown in FIG. 5 in the direction of the arrow V.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6a is a section along line VIa-VIa of FIG." 6.

FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the invention modified relative to that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a further embodiment of the ski binding.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the ski binding illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the ski binding shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a further embodiment of the ski binding.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 shows diagrammatically the manner in which a boot is fastened in a ski binding according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a jaw holder denoted generally 1 which is pivotally mounted relative to a ski 4. The jaw holder includes at least one :and preferably two jaws 2 integrally formed with the holder 1 and arranged diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the ski 4. The jaw 2 is provided with a substantially arcuate surface 6 adapted to contact the upper outside edge of the corner portion of the ski boot for pressing the boot against the ski. The jaw 2 functions for releasing the boot when ov'erstress'ed, thereby separating the boot from the ski.

It will be noted that the jaw holder 1 includes a prolongation 12 having a pair of downwardly bent or directed wings 12a, 1212 (FIG. 2) along the respective side edges of the prolongation. The jaw holder is pivoted against the pressure of a spring 3 operably associated with pivot bearings 13 fixed to the ski and the wings 12a, 12b constitute a housing-like component for the spring 3. In order to facilitate fitting the boot under the jaws 2, a downward pressure is applied to the prolongation thereby rocking the holder and jaws in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot bearings 13 as viewed in FIG. 2 against the action of the spring 3. Manifestly, after the boot is properly oriented and the prolongation 12 released, the spring 3 swings the holder and jaws in the opposite direction whereupon the jaws 2 contact the boot in the manner above described.

FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a binding generally similar to that disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the jaws 2 are separate components adapted to be attached to the jaw holder '1. More specifically, the jaws 2 are fixed to the holder by bolt means passing through elongated slots 7 in the jaw holder.

In FIGS. 5 and 5a there is illustrated a binding in which the jaw 2 is designed so as to reduce 'friction and improve adjustment possibilities for the moment of release. In this embodiment, a bracket is attached to the holder 1 by bolt means passing through an elongated slot 7 and a roller 9 is mounted on an axle or shaft 8 having its respective ends carried by the arms of the bracket.

The binding in FIGS. 6 and 6a is along the lines of that shown in FIG. 5 but it will be seen that the axle 8 is provided with a transverse bore 16a having an internal thread for coaction with the external thread of a bolt 10. The bolt 1%) has a head 10]) which overlies tongue 1 of the holder 1 and a collar 10c fixed to the bolt by a pin d underlies the tongue. It will further be seen that roller 9a is formed with two diametrically opposed radial openings 11, 11' in the wall thereof and through which openings the bolt 10 is adapted to project. When a suitable tool is applied to the head 1% and the bolt is rotated, the roller 9a is displaced in the axial direction of the bolt 10 and also relatively to the tongue 1'.

The binding disclosed in FIG. 7 and which is similar generally to FIG. 6 includes rollers 9b and 90 which are arianged symmetrically relatively to the bolt 10 on the ax e 8.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, there is depicted another type of height adjustment as regards FIG. 5. In this form, each roller 9 is carried by a body 9d provided with a bore having an internal thread cooperable with an external thread of a bolt 9e. Obviously, upon rotation of the bolt 92, the roller is displaced in the direction shown by arrow P.

As to FIGS. 10 and 11, a special body 14 supports the axle 8 carrying rollers 9b and 9c and such body is attached to carrier 1b for the jaw 2. In more detail, the holder 1 is provided with a groove 1a for engaging the carrier 1b and the carrier may be fixed in position by a screw 1c which enters the holder and threadedly engages bore 1d of the carrier. By reason of this arrangement, a heightwise adjustment of the body can be accomplished.

FIGS. 12 and 13 disclose another binding in which the jaw 2 is fixed to the holder 1 by an externally threaded bolt 15. It will be noted that a spring 16 is located between the holder 1 and jaw 2 and such spring functions to move the jaw from the holder so that a pressure directed parallel to the ski 4 is exerted on the boot adjacent the jaw.

The invention is not to be confined to any strict conformity to the showings in the drawings but changes or modifications may be made therein so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A ski binding including a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to a ski, the jaw holder having at least one jaw which is constructed as a roller, an axle on which the roller is pivotally positioned, said jaw pressing a boot sole against the ski, the roller resting on the upper edge of the sole, said axle having a transverse bore provided with an internal thread, a screw bolt having an external thread corresponding to said internal thread lodged in said bore and said screw bolt being rotatably positioned in the jaw holder.

2. A ski binding including a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to a ski, the jaw holder having at least one jaw which is constructed as a roller, an axle on which the roller is pivotally positioned, said jaw pressing a boot sole against the ski, the roller resting on the upper edge of the sole, said axle having a transverse bore provided with an internal thread, a screw bolt having an external thread corresponding to said internal thread lodged in said bore, the screw bolt being rotatably positioned in the jaw holder, and the roller having two diametrically opposed radial openings in the wall surface thereof through which openings the screw bolt projects.

3. A ski binding including a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to a ski, the jaw holder having at least one jaw consisting of two rollers, an axle on which each roller is rotatably mounted, each axle having a transverse bore provided with an internal thread, a screw bolt having an external thread corresponding to said external thread lodged in each bore, and said screw bolt being rotatably positioned in the jaw holder.

4. A ski binding including a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to a ski having a running surface, said jaw holder having two jaws arranged at an oblique angle to the running surface of the ski, each jaw being defined by a cylinder adapted to rest on the upper outside edge of the corner portion of a ski boot sole, the axis of each cylinder when the cylinders rest on the ski boot sole lying approximately parallel to the ski surface and an extension of the axis of the respective cylinders intersecting one another in a plane which substantially vertically bisects the ski, and means cooperable with each jaw for adjusting the height thereof respecting the ski surface.

5. The ski binding as claimed in claim 4 in which said adjusting means comprises a threaded member coacting with each cylinder and the jaw holder.

6. The ski binding as claimed in claim 4 in which said cylinder is a roller freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the ski surface when the roller rests on the ski boot sole.

7. The ski binding as claimed in claim 6 in which said rollers are arranged at opposing diagonal angles relative to the longitudinal axis of the ski.

8. The ski binding as claimed in claim 4 including spring means cooperable with said jaw holder normally urging said two jaws in a direction toward the ski boot.

9. A ski binding including a jaw holder pivotally positioned relatively to a ski having a running surface, said jaw holder having two jaws adapted to coact with a ski boot to hold the same on the ski, each jaw being defined by a cylinder with each cylinder being adapted to rest on the upper outside edge of the corner portion of a ski boot sole, the axis of each cylinder when the cylinders rest on the ski boot sole lying approximately parallel to the ski surface and an extension of the axis of the respective cylinders intersecting one another in a plane which substantially vertically bisects the ski, and a threaded bolt cooperable with each cylinder and the jaw holder for adjusting each cylinder independently in a height-wise direction whereby such cylinders may assume the precise angle of the boot with which the same cooperate.

10. The ski binding as claimed in claim 9 in which each cylinder is a roller freely rotatable about its longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the ski surface when the roller rests on a ski boot sole.

References Cited by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 2/1959 Austria.

6/1952 Switzerland.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

A. HARRY LEVY, Examiner, 

4. A SKI BINDING INCLUDING A JAW HOLDER PIVOTALLY POSI TIONED RELATIVELY TO A SKI HAVING A RUNNING SURFACE, SAID JAW HOLDER HAVING TWO JAWS ARRANGED AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE TO THE RUNNING SURFACE OF THE SKI, EACH JAW BEING DEFINED BY A CYLINDER ADAPTED TO REST ON THE UPPER OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE CORNER PORTION OF A SKI BOOT SOLE, THE AXIS OF EACH CYLINDER WHEN THE CYLINDERS REST ON THE SKI BOOT SOLE LYING APPROXIMATELY PARALLEL TO THE SKI SURFACE AND AN EXTENSION OF THE AXIS OF THE RESPECTIVE CYLINDERS INTERSECTING ONE ANOTHER IN A PLANE WHICH SUBSTANTISLLY VERTICALLY BISECTS THE SKI, AND MEANS COOPERABLE WITH EACH JAW FOR ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT THEREOF RESPECTING THE SKI SURFACE. 